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Burnett named National League Player of the Week

Burnett named National League Player of the Week

7/31/12: A.J. Burnett dominates the Cubs over nine fantastic frames, bringing a no-hitter into the eighth inning in a 5-0 Pirates victory

By Joey Nowak
/
MLB.com |

After going a perfect 2-0 in a week that saw him flirt with a no-hitter against the Cubs, Pirates starter A.J. Burnett was named the National League Player of the Week.

The right-hander earned his 13th and 14th wins of the season with victories against Chicago and Cincinnati, respectively. He is now tied for the Major League lead with 14 wins, and has 13 victories in his last 14 decisions.

It is Burnett's fourth career weekly award, and first since the week ending on April 17, 2005.

Burnett led the Majors with 17 2/3 innings pitched this week, striking out 15 with a 1.02 ERA in that span. He posted a one-hit gem on Tuesday, when he shut out the Cubs after taking a no-hitter into the eighth before it was broken up by Adrian Cardenas with two outs in the frame.

He struck out eight and walked two in that game, his first complete game shutout since 2006. It was Burnett's lowest-hit game since his May 12, 2001, no-hitter against the Padres.

He followed that performance with an 8 2/3-inning outing on Sunday, scattering just two runs on three hits against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

‪Joey Nowak is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @joeynowak.‬ This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.